Container for fluid under pressure



NOV 5, 1929- G. A. BENSON ET AL CONTAINER FOR FLUID UNDER PRESSURE original Filed Jan. 26, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet NOV. 5, 1929 G. A. BENSON ET AL 1,734,514

CONTAINER FOR FLUID UNDER PRESSURE Original Filed Jan. 26, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 5, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT lOFFICE.

CONTAINER FOR FLUID UNDER PRESSURE Application led January 26, 1927, Serial No. 163,698. Renewed August 5, 1929.

The present application being a continuation in part of an application filed August 26, 1926, Serial No. 131,746, relates to improvements in containers for fluids under pressure, particularly such as are commonly used for storage, transport and dispensing of liquids or gases.

Such containers are commonly provided with a valve controlled discharge outlet, and

also with a safety or escape valve by which excessive pressure in the container may be automaticall relieved, particularly when the container is 1n transit.

The actuating means for the valve controlling flow of gas through the discharge outlet are frequently exposed, and often broken, and with the constructions heretofore proposed it has been impossible to repair such means or replace the. valve without undesirable waste or loss of a considerable portion of the contents of the container. Again, with the constructions commonly employed, if, for any reason, it is desirable to replace the safety valve, there results an undesirable loss of the fluid contents of the container.

Among the objects otl the present invention is the provision of means whereby the discharge outlet control and safety valves may be completely enclosed and protected from injury while the container is being handled or transported, and further means are provided whereby, it' desired, the flow of fluid from the fluid chamber of the container to both the discharge outlet and safety valves may be completely cut off', so that either or both of said valves may be detached, repaired if necessary, or replaced Without material loss of fluid.

With this and other objects in view the 40 invention consists in a container of the character referred to constructed as hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which: l

Figure l is an elevation, partly broken away to shovsr the removable closure for the valve mechanism chamber of a container constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a section, on an enlarged scale,

substantially on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing the parts in position to permit of removal of, either the discharge outlet control valve or the safety valve.

Figure 4 is a plan, partly in section, on the line 4 4 of Figure 3, showing the parts positioned for shipment or use.

Figure 5 is a section substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings, in the several figures of which like parts are designated by corresponding reference characters, 1 designates the body of the improved container, which, as is customary, may consist of a seamless, metal, casing, providing an interior fluid chamber 2, and having a relatively thick head or upper end 3.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated the head 3 is provided with an integral annular skirt 4 that projects beyond its outer face and the upper, outer, end of the space enclosed by such skirt is adapted to be covered by a suitable closure 5. As shown, the closure 5 has a depending flange 6, which is received Within the annular skirt 4, and an outward flange 7 that rests upon the upper edge of such skirt. A suitable fastening means, such as a chain 8, connects the closure 5 with the head 3, said chain or fastening means being of suflicient length to permit the closure to be adjusted into the open position shown in dotted lines in Figure l, but effectually preventing complete removal of the closure from the casing. A suitable lock means 9 is provided for retaining the closure in operative, closed, position so that access to the space provided between the head 3 and said closure by the annular skirt 4 is prevented.

A supply duct 10 is formed in the head 3 and adapted to communicate with the fluid chamber 2. As shown, this duct is preferably formed by boring a suitable radial or horizontal passage in the head, the outer end of which is subsequently closed by a plug 11. As illustrated, this plug is removable and projects slightly beyond the outer surface of the. container body. However, such projecting portion is unnecessary and the closure provided by said plug may be a permanent one.

As shown, the head 3 is also provided with a laterally directed discharge outlet nipple 12 that extends into a recess or socket 13 in the head, and as shown is provided with an exterior thread which may be engaged by a suitable thread on a coupling connected with a delivery pipe, not shown. The outer end of the passage through the discharge outlet nipple is preferably closed by a detachable cap 14, shown as being threaded into the socket 13 and provided with suitable washers or packing 15.

'lo prevent loss of the outlet nipple closure, it is preferably permanently connected to the casing body by a suitable chain or other ilexible means 16, such connection being of suficient length to permit the closure to be entirely detached from the nipple when desired.

The passage in the discharge outlet nipple 12 communicates at its inner end with a bore 17 that opens through the end facel of the head 3, and at its inner end is connected with the supply duct 10. Valve 18 cooperating with a suitable seat formed in the branch connection between the supply duct 10 and the passage in the discharge outlet nipple 12, serves to control the iow of fluid from the duct 10 to said discharge .outlet nipple. This control valve may be of any suitable form. As shown, it comprises an elongated threaded stem 19, which extends outwardthrough a tubular casing 2O that is threaded into the aforesaid bore 17 in the head 3. A suitable handle l21 is fitted to the outer end of the valve stem 19, and by rotating such stem the valve 18may be moved to or from its seat to permit .of the low of fluid from the duct 10 to the passage in the discharge outlet nipple 12 or to cut off such flow as desired. Suitable washers or packing discs are provided about the valve stem to cooperate with the inner end of the bore 17 or the casing member 20 when the valve stem is at the limit of its movement in either direction and a similar washer is interposed between lthe enlarged portion of the valve casing member 20 and the head 3, so that accidental escape of fluid from the container is prevented.

Preferably a suitable stuiing box 22 is provided in the Valve casing through which the stem 19 extends, an adjustable cover for such box being provided'.

25 designates a safety valve which is suitably secured in a socket formed in the head 3 that communicates through a branch duct 26 with the main supply duct 10. As this valve may be of any of the well known types commonly provided in apparatus of the character to which the invention relates, it is not believed to be necessary to illustrate or describe it more in detail, it being sulicient to note that such valve is in permanent, constant, communication with the supply duct 10, and, therefore, whenever fluid can pass to said supply duct any excessive pressure thereof will escape through the valve 25.

30 designates a valve by which communication between the fluid chamber2 of the container and the supply duct 10 may be interrupted when desired. This valve is located relatively near the inner end of the duct 10 in the passage which connects said duct with the iuid chamber 2, and, as shown, is provided with a threaded stem engaging a. thread in a valve' casing 31 that is screwed into a bore 32 provided in the head 3 and opening through the outer end thereof within the space enclosed by the skirt 4.

The outer, upper, end of the stem 33 of the valve 30 is preferably made of polygonal form in cross section so that it may be engaged by a suitable detachable, key or handle whereby the stem may be' rotatedl to raise the valve 30 from its seat or forced into close engagement therewith. As the laws governing the transportation of compressed fluids of the character for which the container of the present invention is designed require that there shall be constant communication between the fluid chamber 2 and the safety valve 25, means are provided whereby, normally, the valve 30 will be retained in open position.

As shown, particularly in Figures 4 and 5, a post 40 is provided on the head 3, and this post and the outer end of the valve stem 33 are connected by a coupling member 41, which positively prevents rotation of the valve stem 33 as would be necessary to force the valve 30 into its operative, closed, position. The post 40 is detachably supported by the head 3. As shown, it has an enlarged lower end 43 which extends into an arcshaped under cut groove 3a formed in the upper face of the head 3. To assist in removing the post 40, when desired, without it being necessary to detach the coupling member 41 therefrom, the groove 3a is preferably formed concentric with the axis of the valve spindle or stem 33 and at one end is provided with an enlargement 3b. When the post 40 is shifted in the slot 3' to bring its enlarged lower end 43 thereof within the recess it and the attached coupling member 41 may be bodily lifted fnom engagement with the valve stem 33.

A sleeve 40a is arranged about the post 40, the lower end of this sleeve bearing upon the head 3, and the upper, outerend serving as an abutment to limit movement of the coupling member 41 on the post.

A nut 45 engages a suitable thread on the portion of the post 40 within and projecting above the coupling member 41. By turning this nut, it will be seen that the post 40 will be drawn upward or outward until the enlarged head thereof is in close rictional englagement with the upper or outer wall of the s ot 3a.

By this arrangement the coupling 4l engages a portion of the valve stem 33 which is of polygonal form in cross section, and as shown, particularly in Figure 5, said coupling member is preferably held slightly above the upper end of the cylindrical portion of the valve stem when the nut 45 has forced said coupling member into close engagement with the upper end of the sleeve 40.

When the parts are'related as shown in Figure 5, it will be seen that the valve stem 33 is held a ainst rotation and therefore any accidental c osure of the Valve 30 is prevented. This insures that when the retaining means comprising the sleeve 40", coupling member 41 and nut 45 are operated, there will be no possibility of the closing of the passage between the body of the container and passa e 10.

f, however, it becomes desirable to detach either the discharge outlet nipple control valve 18 or the safety valve 25, the coupling 41 can be disengaged from the valve stem 33 and the latter manipulated to seat the valve 30. This can be effected either by removing the nut 45 or lifting the coupling member 41 from both the post 40 and the valve stem 33. Preferably, however, the nut 44 will merely be loosened sufliciently to permit the post 40 to be moved bodily in the groove 3a as the valve stem 33 is turned to close the valve 30. By such movement the enlarged head 43 of the post 40 will be brought into alignment with the portion 3b of the groove in the casing head, and when the parts are 1n this position the post 40, sleeve 40el and coupling member 41 may be detached as a umtary structure from the valve stem 33.

As shown also, an additional passage 50 is provided in the head 3 and closed by a suitable plug 51. This passage may be utilized to introduce a washing medium into the fluid chamber 2 when desired.

It is believed that the advantages and operation of the improvements will be readily understood from the foregoing description and the drawings.

It will be seen that all of the valve manipulating devices are arranged within a completely enclosed chamber so that said parts are protected and not likely to be broken when the containers are being transported. The locking means for the valve 30 insures that the safety valve will normally be in constant communication with the supply duct 10 and fluid chamber 2, but when detached permits said valve to be adjusted to cut off the communication between the supply duct and fluid chamber so that either the outlet valve 18 or safety valve can be removed and repaired without wasting the contents of the container.

Many of the features of the improvements can be embodied in other forms specifically different from the embodiment illustrated, and, therefore, unless where specifically noted in the appended claims, it is not intended to restrict the invention to the exact details shown.

Having thus described the invention, what 1s claimed is 1. In a container for fluid under pressure, the combination with a tank or casing having a discharge outlet, a valve for controlling flow of fluid through said outlet, and a safet valve independently connected with the tan and normally exposed to pressure in the tank, of means whereby the flow of fluid to both of said valves may be cut ofl', for the purpose described.

2. In a container for fluid under pressure, the combination with a tank or casing having a discharge outlet, a valve for controlling flow of fluid through said outlet, and a safety valve independently connected with the tank and communicating with the passage leading to the outlet so as to be normally exposed to the pressure in the tank, of means whereby the flow of fluid to both said valves may be cut off, for the purpose described.

3. In a container for fluid under pressure, the combination with a tank or casing having a discharge outlet, a valve for controlling flow of fluid from the tank through said outlet, and a safety valve independently connected with the tank and communicating with the passage connecting the outlet and tank at a point between the tank and the outlet control valve, of a single adjustable valve operative to cut off the flow of fluid to both said outlet and safety valves, for the purpose described.

4. In a container for fluid under pressure, the combination with a tank or casing having a discharge outlet, a valve for controlling flow of fluid from the tank through said outlet, and a safety valve independently connected with the tank and communicating' with the passage leading from the tank to the outlet at a point between the tank and said outlet valve, of a single valve adjustable to and from a position to cut off flow of fluid to both the outlet and safety valves, and means for holding said single valve in inoperative position.

5. A container for fluid under pressure, comprising in combination a tank or casing having an outlet and a duct formed in the body of a head of the tank and connecting the fluid chamber with said outlet, a valve controlling the flow of fluid through the outlet, a safety valve communicating with said duct. and an independent valve controlling the flow of fluid from the fluid chamber and easing to said duct, for the purpose described.

6. In a container for fluid under pressure, the combination with a tank or casing having a discharge outlet, a valve cont-rolling flow of fluid through said outlet, and a safety valve normally exposed to the pressure in the tank, of an independent valve adapted to control flow of fluid to both said valves, and means adapted to prevent movement of the last said valve when it is positioned to establish communication between the fluid chamber of the casing and the safety valve.

i'. ln a container for fluid under pressure, the combination with a tank or casing having a discharge outlet, a valve controlling flow of fluid through said outlet., and a safety valve normally exposed to the pressure in the tank, of an independent valve adapted to control flow of fluid to both said valves, and means detachably connected with the casing and adapted to engage the last said valve stem to prevent movement of the last said valve when it is positioned to establish communication between the fluid chamber of the casing and the safety valve.

S. ln a container for fluid under pressure, the combination with a casing having a discharge outlet, a valve controlling flow of fluid through said outlet, and a safety valve. of an independent valve adapted to control flow of fluid to both said valves and including a rotatable stem, and a coupling member adapted to project radially from and detachably conneet the last said valve stem wit-h the casing to prevent rotation of said stern when the valve thereon is positioned to establish communication between the fluid chamber of the casing and the safety valve.

9. In a container for fluid under pressure, the combination with a casing having a discharge outlet, a valve controlling flow of fluid through said outlet, and a safety valve, of an independent valve adapted to control flow of fluid to both said valves, a post detachably supported by the casing, and a coupling adapted to connect said post and the last said valve to prevent movement of the valve, for the purpose described'.

l0. ln a container for fluid under pressure, the combination of a casing having an annular skirt projecting from the head thereof, and provided in its head with a discharge outlet, a valve controlling flow of fluid through the outlet and having its stem extending into the space surrounded by said skirt. a safety valve, an independent valve adapted to control flow of fluid to both said outlet and safety valves and having its stem extending into the space surrounded by said annular skirt, and means adapted to engage the stem of the last said valve to retain the valve in position to establish communication between the fluid chamber of the casing and the safety valve.

ll. In a container for fluid under pressure, the combination of a casing having an annular skirt projecting from the head thereof, and provided in its head with a discharge outlet, a valve controlling flow of duid through the outlet and having its stem extending into the space surrounded by said skirt, a safety valve, an independent valve adapted to control flow of fluid to both said outlet and safety valves and having its stem extending into the space surrounded by said annular skirt, an undercut groove Vbeing formed in the casing head concentric with the axis of the stem of the last said valve, a post having at its inner end an enlarged head engaging said groove, means for locking the post in position in the groove and means for connecting the post and the stem of the last said valve to retain the valve in position establishing communication between the fluid chamber of the casing and the safety valve.

12. In a container for fluid under pressure, the combination of a casing provided in its head with a discharge outlet, a valve controlling flow of fluid through said outlet, a safety valve, an independent valve adapted to control flow of fluid to both said outlet and safety valves and having a threaded stem extending outward through the casing head, a post connected to the casing head and projecting therefrom parallel to the length of the stem of the last said valve, and a coupling adapted to detachably connect the post and the stem of the last said valve to prevent rotation of the stem when the valve is positioned to establish communication between the fluid chamber of the casing and the safety valve.

13. ln a container for fluid under pressure, the combination of a seamless metal casing having a relatively thick head at one end, said head being provided with a laterally directed discharge outlet and an interior duct leading from the fluid chamber of the casing, to said discharge outlet, a valve controlling flow through the discharge outlet and having its stem extending beyond the outer face of the head, a safety valve constantly in communication with said duct in the head at a point between the inner end of the duct and the outlet control valve, and a valve-for controlling flow from the fluid chamber of the casing to said duct in the head.

le. ln a container for fluid under pressure, the combination of a seamless metal casing having a relatively thick head at one end, said head being provided with a laterally directed discharge outlet nipple, arranged within a recess in the head, and with an interior duct leading from the fluid chamber of the casing to said nipple, an adjust-able closure for the outer end of said nipple permanently connect ed with the casing, a valve controlling flow of fluid through said nipple, a safety valve in constant communication with said duct in the head, a valve controlling supply of fluid to said duct, and means for retaining the last said valve in position to maintain communication between said duct and the fluid chamber of the casing.

15. ln a container for fluid under pressure,

the combination of a casing provided in its head with a discharge outlet, a valve controlling flow of lluid through said outlet, a safety valve, an independent valve adapted to control flow of fluid to both said outlet and safety valves and having a threaded stem extending outward through the casing head and provided with a section of polygonal form in cross section, and a coupling connected with the casing head and engaging said polygonal section of the last said valve stem to prevent rotation of the valve'stein when the valve is positioned to establish communication between the lluid chamber of the casing and the safety valve.

16. In a container for fluid under pressure, the combination of a casing provided in its head with a discharge outlet, a valve controlling llow of fluid through said outlet, a safety valve, an independent valve adapted to control flow of fluid to both said outlet and safety valves and having a threaded stem eX- tending outward through the casing head and provided with a section of polygonal form in cross section, a post extending outward from the casing head parallel to the last said valve stem, a coupling bar connected to said post and engaging the polygonal section of the last said valve stem to prevent rotation of said stem When the valve is positioned to establish communication between the fluid chamber of the casing and the safety valve, said post and coupling bar being detachable as a unitary structure from the casing head.

17. In a container for fluid under pressure, the combination of a casing provided in its head with a discharge outlet, a valve controlling flow of fluid through said outlet, a safety valve, anv independent valve adapted to -control flow of fluid to both said outlet and safety valves and having a threaded stem extending outward through the casin head and provided with a section of po ygonal form in cross section, a post extending outward from the casing head parallel to the last said valve stem, a coupling bar connected to said post and engaging the polygonal section of the last said valve stem when the valve is positioned toy establish communication between the fluid chamber of the casing and the safety valve, a nut engaging the outer end of the post and bearing against the coupling bar'to move it toward the casing head, and an abutment for limiting movement of the coupling bar toward the casing head.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

GEORGE A. BENSON. FRANK SCHOLL. 

